Bipolar disorder is one of the most severe forms of mental illness. While it can be a genetically factored disease, it is often also found hand in hand with alcoholism or drug addiction. A probation program in Dallas County specifically looks at the dual diagnosis of addiction and bipolar disorder and treats them together in order to help more people to successfully rehabilitate.

Honesty and accountability are required of the ones on probation. Properly treating the dual diagnosis of bipolar disorder and addiction are required of the program. Together they can build something remarkable: a second chance.

If a person is treated just for bipolar disorder or another mental illness but not for an addiction, chances are he or she is going to relapse quickly. If a person is treated for the addiction but not for the illness, same thing. Neither can successfully be treated if they are not both treated. Sort of a catch 22. Some probation programs recognize this and are working towards heading off problems associated with treating only part of such a situation.

It stands to reason that if a person can get disability for depression and bipolar disorder, then it needs to be recognized in the judicial system and the drug addiction cycle as well. This is where the dual diagnosis treatment comes in. It encourages honesty and accountability in those that the judicial system is giving a second chance to. It also aids in successful rehabilitation, having more people cleaner longer and less people relapsing and getting into more legal trouble.

Check to see if your county has a dual diagnosis probation program for mental illness and addiction. If it does, great. If not, bring it to the attention of those who should know. Let them know that the probation program in Dallas County seems to be having positive effects with it. It would be nice if every county in every state could eventually work this way. Treating both problems could end the addiction one altogether.

Dallas County is showing a good success rate. Two thirds more participants are graduating successfully than not. More are in the program and both the judicial system and the participants are finding it is showing a good rapport between success and accountability. Follow through has been successful for the most part as well, with clean drug tests. This helps participants maintain employment and encourages artistic endeavors as well, such as writing essays. All in all, dual diagnosis seems to be a positive program in the probation system.